Maine Couple Made Rare Breeds Their Mission
Icelandic cashmere dairy goats are so rare they’re only found in Iceland. Since live goats cannot be imported, sheep producers Jo Ann and Wayne Myers are slowly upbreeding using semen from Iceland crossed with Oberhasli dairy goats. The Oberhasli were selected for their similar characteristics.
“We now have 4 goats that are 87 percent Icelandic,” says Jo Ann Myers, Waldoboro, Maine. “It takes about 7 generations to get animals that are considered genetically pure, and we have 4 to go.”
The Icelandic breed is quite rare even in Iceland where they have been raised since the earliest settlement. Myers reports the current number there at about 700, having reached a low of about 100 in the 1960’s. One breeder reportedly owns half of them and was facing foreclosure in 2014. An international crowdsourcing effort on the Indiegogo website raised more than $120,000 and saved the farm.
With all the breeding stock in one country, the Myers fear a disease outbreak could eliminate the breed. They are determined to establish a second population in the U.S.
While all goats produce an inner layer of very soft cashmere fibers, the Icelandic goats are known for the quality of their fiber. Myers reports that at even 75 percent (just 2 crosses), their Icelandic goats are producing a good amount of cashmere fiber. In Iceland they’re also used for meat and milk.
The biggest challenge the Myers face is a current bureaucratic snafu over semen importation. New tests are being required before more semen can be brought in to the U.S. As a result, the Myers have limited ability to continue upbreeding.
While their Icelandics may be the most rare breed on Meyers’ farm, it isn’t the only one. In fact, since starting the farm more than 20 years ago, rare breeds are what they have raised. Currently they have 6 breeds of duck, 4 breeds of sheep and 1 horse, all considered critical by the Livestock Conservancy.
Protecting rare breeds could be important in the future. For example, the farm’s registered Soay sheep have a valuable trait. “They resist parasites,” says Myers “and could be bred to other breeds to introduce parasite resistance.”
Others of their breeds, like the Dutch Hookbill ducks, have more ornamental qualities. Quite endangered, the unique pattern of their feathers makes them valued for fishing lures.
Myers encourages others to explore rare breeds by visiting the Livestock Conservancy website, reading about the breeds, and then going to the registry for the breed. She suggests selecting breeds for characteristics that match the farm and farming style. They chose Leicester Longwool sheep for their ability to do well on the farm’s mucky ground.
While rare breeding stock often comes at a premium price, the Myers prefer to encourage other breeders with the prices they charge. As an example, they sell a breeding trio of the Dutch Hook Ducks for $30, about what registered ducks of any breed sell for.
“We operate as a business. Even though we may not be making a profit on the breeding stock, we do make a profit on the fiber we sell,” says Myers. “We sell wool from the sheep and organic eggs from the ducks. We also grow and sell a range of organic produce and flowers, particularly you-pick raspberries and grapes.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Beau Chemin Preservation Farm, 1749 Finntown Rd., Waldoboro, Maine 04572 (ph 207 691-8164; wwm@midcoast.com; www.beaucheminfarm.com).
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Maine Couple Made Rare Breeds Their Mission LIVESTOCK Exotic Animals Icelandic cashmere dairy goats are so rare they’re only found in Iceland Since live goats cannot be imported sheep producers Jo Ann and Wayne Myers are slowly upbreeding using semen from Iceland crossed with Oberhasli dairy goats The Oberhasli were selected for their similar characteristics “We now have 4 goats that are 87 percent Icelandic ” says Jo Ann Myers Waldoboro Maine “It takes about 7 generations to get animals that are considered genetically pure and we have 4 to go ” The Icelandic breed is quite rare even in Iceland where they have been raised since the earliest settlement Myers reports the current number there at about 700 having reached a low of about 100 in the 1960’s One breeder reportedly owns half of them and was facing foreclosure in 2014 An international crowdsourcing effort on the Indiegogo website raised more than $120 000 and saved the farm With all the breeding stock in one country the Myers fear a disease outbreak could eliminate the breed They are determined to establish a second population in the U S While all goats produce an inner layer of very soft cashmere fibers the Icelandic goats are known for the quality of their fiber Myers reports that at even 75 percent just 2 crosses their Icelandic goats are producing a good amount of cashmere fiber In Iceland they’re also used for meat and milk The biggest challenge the Myers face is a current bureaucratic snafu over semen importation New tests are being required before more semen can be brought in to the U S As a result the Myers have limited ability to continue upbreeding While their Icelandics may be the most rare breed on Meyers’ farm it isn’t the only one In fact since starting the farm more than 20 years ago rare breeds are what they have raised Currently they have 6 breeds of duck 4 breeds of sheep and 1 horse all considered critical by the Livestock Conservancy Protecting rare breeds could be important in the future For example the farm’s registered Soay sheep have a valuable trait “They resist parasites ” says Myers “and could be bred to other breeds to introduce parasite resistance ” Others of their breeds like the Dutch Hookbill ducks have more ornamental qualities Quite endangered the unique pattern of their feathers makes them valued for fishing lures Myers encourages others to explore rare breeds by visiting the Livestock Conservancy website reading about the breeds and then going to the registry for the breed She suggests selecting breeds for characteristics that match the farm and farming style They chose Leicester Longwool sheep for their ability to do well on the farm’s mucky ground While rare breeding stock often comes at a premium price the Myers prefer to encourage other breeders with the prices they charge As an example they sell a breeding trio of the Dutch Hook Ducks for $30 about what registered ducks of any breed sell for “We operate as a business Even though we may not be making a profit on the breeding stock we do make a profit on the fiber we sell ” says Myers “We sell wool from the sheep and organic eggs from the ducks We also grow and sell a range of organic produce and flowers particularly you-pick raspberries and grapes ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Beau Chemin Preservation Farm 1749 Finntown Rd Waldoboro Maine 04572 ph 207 691-8164; wwm@midcoast com; www beaucheminfarm com
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